Mendocino Farms - Irvine
Mendocino Farms makes a banh mi sandwich that isn't exactly a banh mi sandwich. The bread isn't a baguette; it's ciabatta in the usual ciabatta shape: square. But because it's crisped up on a panini press, the bread crackles when you bite into it, just as the crust of a proper baguette should.
And in eating it further you realize how very banh mi-like this sandwich actually is. Nearly all the flavors you expect and had in the last real banh mi you ate is present and accounted for: pickled daikon, pickled carrots, plenty of sliced jalapenos, cilantro, cucumbers, and a good spackling of mayo.
No, there's no pate, or the umami of Maggi. And the braised and caramelized Kutobuta pork belly stuffed in there as protein is a little bit of an overkill, but that's fine too, since what you're really tasting is everything else in this "banh mi"--an item described on the menu as a "playful take on the popular Vietnamese sandwich."
All of this is to say that it's still not a banh mi, not exactly--but that's doesn't mean it isn't good.
Mendocino Farms
4175 Campus Dr. Ste B
Irvine, CA 92612
(949) 783-2900
mendocinofarms.com
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posted by elmomonster @ 12:00 AM
4 comments
4 Comments:
Went once to the location in El Segundo and found it pretty good.
But since it's Mendocino farms it does mean it's expensive. They make good sandwiches but man, are they expensive.
Just had this recently and I agree with you-- it's a pleasant upscale banh-mi inspired sandwich. That pork belly was quite tasty, a bit too much jalepeno for me though.
Christian,
They're everywhere now, aren't they? Corner Bakery has a worthy adversary! Panera never had a chance.
Greg,
Agreed. If I didn't have a BOGO coupon on me, I would've suffered from sticker shock! Especially when I can still get three banh mis for $6 at Banh Mi Che Cali.
ETE,
Since I love lots of jalapeños on banh mis, this one was perfect. I liked how they did it julienned, which takes extra effort. Hmm, maybe that's why it costs so much.
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